UsWeekly broke the news moments ago with a source telling the mag “Kim is doing well.” If you recall, Kim tried to leave rehab about two weeks ago, before the end of her 30 day stay, but the 47-year-old was ultimately convinced to stay. UsWeekly also reported back then that Kim was being “defiant” in rehab.

RadarOnline is also confirming the news. “Kim is out of rehab and staying in a hotel in Beverly Hills,” a source reveals. Kim’s sister Kyle Richards came out last week denying reports which stated Kim would be moving in with her after rehab.

This news comes as a bit of a surprise as Kim was supposed to stay at the Betty Ford Center until February. Kim’s early exit means she spent about 40 days or less in rehab. Perhaps it’s just me but Kim’s problems looked pretty severe on the show and I can’t help but wonder if 40 days was really enough to help kick her addiction issues. Here’s to hoping it was.

Moving on to the RHOBH reunion which was filmed last Thursday. It is being confirmed by the Wetpaint blog that Kim was indeed absent from the reunion. “Her presence was missed,” a show insider tells Wetpaint. “But that’s okay. Her recovery takes priority over the show and everyone is happy she’s getting the help she needs.”

Other reunion secrets revealed includes the fact that taping took all day. “They didn’t get out until just before 9 p.m.,” says the insider. “It was their longest reunion taping yet.” And yes Brandi Glanville and Dana Wilkey were both in attendance. However, the insider states that Bravo was very upset with Brandi over her publicity stunt/Las Vegas wedding last weekend and took out a little revenge on her.

“Brandi was told to come really, really early,” the insider tells Wetpaint. “She arrived way before anyone else in the cast. Then, the producers just made her sit there and wait. She waited for hours. I think it was their way of messing with her.”

Also, Bravo did not shy away fromRussell Armstrong’s suicide according to the report. “Each of the women was asked if they wanted to say anything about it,” reveals the insider. “Most of them shared their own thoughts.”

So can we expect some fireworks from the reunion? According to RadarOnline, that answer is NO. Bummer! “All of the main issues were addressed during the taping,” the source said. “But other than Brandi yelling there weren’t any huge fights.” The source adds, “Brandi was out of control… She was swearing at the other women and being obnoxious.”

Andy Cohen spoke out on the reunion and Taylor Armstrongin a new interview with ET Online. According to Andy, Taylor “didn’t shed a tear” at the reunion taping. “She is coming from a place of strength and recovery now,” he adds.

Andy also denies Bravo is to blame for Russell’s suicide stating he believes “personal and financial crisis” and a change in his medications contributed to his demise. Andy brings up a valid point when he cites that Russell’s business partner also took his own life.

“This was a man who signed up to be on a second season of a show,” Andy said in defense of the RHOBH. “This was a man that had expressed to producers that the first season of the show was very good for his business.”

The RHOBH season 2 finale will air on January 23, and the reunion will air January 30. There’s no word yet on whether this will be a one or two part reunion.

Moving on to tonight’s all the new episode of the RHOBH. On the 18th episode this season titled ‘A Day Late, An Apology Short,’ “Kim and her new beau finally arrive in Hawaii. Yet there’s trouble in paradise: They miss most of the activities and Kyle at long last confronts her sister about her bizarre behavior.”

The latest by Cedric is an article from Star Magazine in which he spills all sorts of secrets about the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast. In the article, Cedric states Kim Richards’saddiction issues are much worse than viewers can imagine, reveals Lisa’s true feelings about hubby Ken and costar Adrienne Maloof and also claims Adrienne might be in the worst financial condition out of all the cast.

Below are a few of Cedric’s “highlights” from the article:

Kim Richards’ Struggles With Alcohol Addiction – According to Cedric, an addition to alcohol is the least of Kim’s problems. “The truth is much darker,” he says. “I’m thankful Kim is now in rehab, hopefully getting some professional help.”

Lisa’s Feelings On Hubby Ken and Adrienne Maloof – Cedric says that despite their united font on the show, Lisa is “mortified and embarrassed,” by her husband Ken over some of his ‘ignorant jabs.’ As for Adrienne, Cedric states Lisa hates her neighbor and costar. “She feels Adrienne is not worthy of being on the show,” he says.

Cedric’s Relationship With Brandi Glanville– Cedric also reveals what has been reported previously, which is that he and newbie Brandi actually just met last year at a lunch organized by the show producers, and not during their modeling days in Europe a decade ago as they previously claimed. “It was a manufactured friendship to keep me on the show,” Cedric tells Star.

Why Was He Living With Lisa? And What Happened To Lisa’s Complaint? – “I moved out months before she landed the role,” says Cedric adding that producers convinced him to move back in for season 1 filming. As for the complaint Lisa filed against him with the cops last year over claims of a possible extortion, Cedric says Lisa’s case was weak. “I was never even contacted by police.”

The BH Housewives Lying About Their Wealth? – “Not everything is as it seems,” says Cedric, who claims seemingly uberrich Adrienne may actually be in the worst financial shape of them all. “They were forced to unload 98 percent of their beloved Palms Casino Resort,” claims Cedric. A report came out last year stating Adrienne was having financial difficulty and was forced to downgrade her lavish lifestyle. And last October, Adrienne admitted she had been “cutting back” on her lavish lifestyle.

Cedric, who will be appearing on the season 2 finale of the RHOBH, also claims producers of the show were the ones that invited him to Lisa’s party. “Lisa confronted me with some of the worst acting you’ll ever see on television. She claimed I wasn’t invited and told me to leave. It’s sums up all the phoniness and manufactured drama on the show,” he says.

Meanwhile, the RHOBH season 2 reunion filmed on Thursday and we’re hearing Kim Richards, who is still in rehab, did not attend. Below are some tweets from Kyle Richards, Taylor Armstrong and Andy Cohen after the taping:

Kyle tweeted – “Emotionally draining day. So hard to re live all the difficult moments this season on #RHOBH. Thank u to our “therapist” @BravoAndy. Xo”

Taylor tweeted – “Thanks for the great support! For the haters, when all the truth comes out I’ll try to post some delish “crow” recipes.” Really Taylor?

“We would love to have the drama and emotion that Taylor Armstrong would bring to the show and counter that with the lovability that Regis Philbin has given audiences for decades,” a source from the show reveals. “ABC has a wonderful relationship with Regis from his Who Wants To Be A Millionaire days. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see what Taylor would bring to the dance floor each week?” Uhh is that a trick question???

Moving on toBrandi Glanville, who continues to enjoy a ton of press from her quickie Las Vegas wedding this weekend. Brandi tied with knot with MMA manager Darin Harvey on New Year’s Eve only to announce on her Twitter page the next day that she planned to annul the publicity stunt wedding.

Fast forward to today and Darin’s ex-wife Michelle Harvey is now revealing Brandi betrayed her. The reason? According to Michelle, Brandi used to be her BFF!

“She was my best friend until she started an affair w my ex hus Darin behind my back!!!! All our sons are paying the price” posted Michelle on her Twitter account Tuesday afternoon.

While Brandi has stated this was simply a drunken spontaneous decision, Michelle states it was all planned for publicity! “Darin told me they did it for the publicity!!! Pathetic fame wh*res. All 3 kids are devastated,” she wrote. “They are both back peddling…Darin admitted to me it was her idea for publicity.”

Brandi immediately fired back at Michelle tweeting: “@modellharveym You cheated on @darinharvey with one of his family members! U left him, u have a serious cocaine problem.Stop the lies.” Yikes. Michelle has since deleted her Twitter page.

Meanwhile, after getting some backlash from fans on Monday, Brandi issued a pseudo apology (spelling errors and all) via Twitter stating, “In my head I was just having fun w/ my best friend who I adore & has been there for me during all my tuff times! I didnt mean to offend anyone! I beleive everyone shud be able to get married & maybe even embarass themselves in Vegas…”

Brandi also told E! News that the marriage was not “legal” or ” binding.”

“He’s my best friend,” she says of Darin. “I’m always down to have a good time. It sounded like something different. It was on my bucket list [to] get married in Vegas, so why not? … We’re not really married, but we went through the motions and we had a good time.”

On last night’s episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsa little bit fun and fancy came back to us as the ladies sans Taylor embarked on a trip to Hawaii. Luckily, Loony Lips’ drama wasn’t far behind as she called mid-beach to let everyone know she had ditched her hubs for greener pastures. Hey, I heard Mohammed is single! What about that Martin? Kim also missed the show, but Brandi was there in her stead and ready for a full-frontal close-up! That was some bikini!

Things begin as The White Party rages on! Moments after Kyle and co. have kicked Taylor and Russell out for threatening to sue Camille, the ladies reconvene in the all-white living room to break down the situation again for the umpteenth time. Is she or isn’t she? Lying that is! No one seems to know what to believe. Even Taylor’s BFF is pretty mute about the situation. Adrienne is still pretty pissed that Taylor involved the ladies in all this mess — which I’m pretty sure she thinks is nonsense. Only Dana readily believes her BFFL. Hey girl wants to stay on RHOBH!

Taylor denied it back then calling the report “ridiculous”, yet Fernanda admits it all in the latest issue of In Touch Weekly magazine. According to the mag, on August 15, just four days before her 47-year-old estranged husband Russell Armstrong took his own life, Taylor, 40, was spotted kissing openly gay Fernanda, 34, after sparks flew between the two during an earlier fashion show.

Later that evening, the two women groped their way through dinner at a restaurant and shared passionate kisses in Fernanda’s Lexus SUV before heading off to a party together.

A scorned Fernanda tells In Touch that despite their crazy chemistry, Taylor had no problem tossing her aside once she realized the hookup wasn’t good for her image. “Be responsible for your actions and don’t dismiss the other human being that you are connecting with,” is Fernanda’s message to Taylor today.

Fernanda adds that Taylor warned her to keep her mouth shut about what happened between them. “When people started asking, it was like, ‘Don’t say this, don’t say that…’ That is hurtful,” said Fernanda who admits she decided to remain mum after Russell’s passing because she was “protecting” Taylor.

Fernanda goes on to add that she doesn’t appreciate being used by Taylor. “A lot of straight girls want to have an experience with another woman, but they don’t take into consideration that we’re human!” is Fernanda’s PSA.

This isn’t the first time Fernanda has been used and dumped as her former costar Tamra Barney also did the same to her on the last season of the RHOC. “When I saw her joke about it in interviews, she was a little bit dismissive,” says Fernanda of Tamra adding, “Gay people are not something to play around with like a toy.”

You can read more about this in the latest issue of In Touch Weekly.

[Photos Credit: WENN]

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON TAYLOR’S LESBIAN FLING? IS FERNANDA JUST A SCORNED LOVER OR DOES SHE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE UPSET?

After a year of chaos and drama, Adrienne Maloof spent her holidays in NYC with husband, Paul Nassif, and their three sons where Adrienne was promoting her new shoe line Adrienne Maloof for Charles Jourdan. You can buy a pair, any pair you see on the Bravo Home Shopping Network for the fair and reasonable price of about $700. SOLD!

While in NYC, Adrienne spoke to WetPaint about Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Talking about her role as the cast peacemaker, Adrienne credits her family business for giving her the skills to pay the bills. “I think, growing up in a family business with my brothers and having to, at the end of the day, make things work because you live together and you run a business together really prepared me for this job. Because it is, you know, a job. And I think it’s just in my personality to be a peacekeeper.”

As for exposing her friend Brandi Glanville to the crazy Kim Richards, Adrienne thinks Brandi is holding her own. “I met her through a mutual friend and she was going through a divorce,” Adrienne explains. “I thought it might be nice to bring her into the mix. So far, I think she’s doing quite well. It’s an adjustment having the cameras around all the time.”

Of the rest of this season Adrienne warns, “Oh, there’s a lot more drama coming, believe me,” and she is still deciding if she is on board for Season Three! “I’m still trying to get through Season 2! But I do enjoy doing the show and I’ve been having a good time. We’ll see.” And as for who of her cast mates are returning, Adrienne is keeping her lips sealed. “You’re going to hear a lot of rumors, it’s the nature of the beast. But I will say one thing: On this show, you never know!” Fair enough.

Speaking of cast members I hope don’t return who cause plenty of drama, Taylor Armstrong is apparently no longer mad at Camille Grammer and the feud is over. Oh, thank goodness — I was really concerned. RadarOnline reports that the two have patched things up and no longer have any animosity towards each other.

“Taylor just isn’t capable of being mad at anyone, period. There isn’t a feud between the two. On Sunday before this week’s episode aired, all of the Housewives, including Camille were texting Taylor offering words of support to her,” an insider reveals.

“All of the girls receive copies of the show that will air several days before so they can watch it before the public,” the insider adds. “Taylor hadn’t had the time to watch it when she started receiving the text messages. Camille was extremely gracious and sincere in her text messages.”

The insider goes on to point out that while the two are friendly, they are definitely not “like family” as Taylor described the casts relationship on a recent episode of WWHL. “Are these two best friends? No. But Taylor was extremely appreciative towards Camille in the days after Russell [Armstrong] committed suicide because of the support she offered Taylor.”

In other news, there is no new episode of RHOBH tonight and new episodes will resume airing in two weeks. Sads.

WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD RETURN FOR SEASON 3? DO YOU BELIEVE CAMILLE AND TAYLOR ARE FRIENDS AGAIN?

It’s the holidays and in the spirit of goodwill towards all, I will try my best to keep the snark out of this post about the ever present Taylor Armstrong and her plight to remain in the spotlight while playing the role of doting mother and grieving widow in light of estranged husband Russell Armstrong’ssuicide. Because honestly, who am I to say that she’s not? And FYI, that wasn’t sarcasm it was me attempting objectivity. Weird, I know.

Hollywoodlife.com caught up with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star on December 22 as her five-year-old daughter and friends decorated cupcakes at a Beverly Hills bake shop. Taylor told the site, “My daughter Kennedy is doing good, we are both getting stronger every day. We are just taking it one day at a time. We know we are going to make it.” Taylor also revealed that young Kennedy wants an iPad for Christmas. Me too! #nosnark

Taylor explains that it is difficult for her to watch this season unfold knowing how everything plays out in the end. She admits, “It’s difficult watching the show because we taped it so long ago. But I do get to see other people’s perspectives so I understand them better. But it’s difficult doing reality TV because you experience the drama in your life when you are experiencing it and then when you watch it months later on TV you re-live it.” And then you keep doing interviews about, thus reliving it again, and again, and again.

On the most recent episode, Taylor and Russell were turned away at the door of Kyle Richards’ annual white party. No hard feelings, according to Taylor. Really? Not one to burn the bridge with her strongest, and perhaps only, ally hold grudges, Taylor shares that she’s remained close with most of her cast mates. She reveals, “We are all pretty good about keeping in touch. I talk to Kyle the most because we live close to each other and our kids play with each other. I see her a lot. I saw Lisa [Vanderpump] the other night.” So the ladies are still socializing — nothing skips a beat in Beverly Hills, it seems!

Taylor also takes the opportunity to promote her upcoming autobiography discuss her latest project which is near and dear to her heart. She hopes her book, which will be released on February 7, 2012 (she must write fast!), will serve as a catalyst to help others discuss the sensitive and extremely important subject of domestic violence. “I want my book to inspire people to talk about [abuse] — to make it a conversation, because if it’s not talked about, there can be no change,” explains Taylor.

Radaronline.com also reports that the reality star wants to prioritize her life before she hits the dating scene. While volunteering for the 1736 Family Crisis Center, Taylor told Star Magazine, “I’m learning to love myself. I’m OK being by myself and just being a mom.”

Taylor reveals that a new romance isn’t in the cards yet for her, as she’s focusing her efforts elsewhere, continuing, “I’ve got to make sure that my little girl is in the best place possible before anything else. I am having a blast with my little girl. I need some Taylor time for now.”

Also on her agenda is bringing more awareness to abuse victims. “I have a domestic violence background from my childhood,” Taylor explains. “The subject is something that is very near and dear to me.”

WHY DO YOU THINK IT’S DIFFICULT FOR TAYLOR TO WATCH THE CURRENT SEASON OF RHOBH? DO YOU BELIEVE SHE’S MENDED FENCES WITH THE LADIES? WILL YOU BE BUYING HER NEW BOOK? THOUGHTS ON HER DATING AGAIN?

Things Beverly Hills is known for now: Kyle Richards’ White Party (#sosorrybevhills), Jiggy as well as the Taylor Armstrong and Russell Armstrong tragedy. Whatever happened to “Donna Martin graduates!” and the iconic Pretty Woman mantra, “You work on commission, right? Big mistake. Huge!” Simpler times, I guess.

Because she’s not going anywhere one celebrity site is shedding more insight into Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’Taylor Armstrong’s life… and the decision she may have hoped would secure her a spot on the potential third season of Bravo’s hit show. I’m exhausted writing about it, so she surely has to be tired living it. One would hope…don’t I wish.

RadarOnline.com is citing Taylor’s timing for her divorce filing from the late Russell Armstrong as a necessity to keep her in the network’s good graces. The site is reporting that Taylor “finally decided to file for divorce from her then-husband… because executives at Bravo had implemented a ban prohibiting the couple from appearing on the hit show after Russell sent executives legal letters threatening to sue.”

We all watched awkwardly (insert typical metaphor here — it’s a train wreck… you don’t want to see it, but you can’t look away) on the most recent episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. You recall that Taylor and Russell were turned away from Kyle’s annual White Party by the teary hostess (and a bada$$ Paul Nassif!) after Russell threatened fellow cast mate Camille Grammar with a lawsuit via e-mail for alleging abuse against his wife.

However, it seems Camille wasn’t the only one on the receiving end of Russell’s litigious barrage because a source close to the show claims, “During filming of the show, as the season progressed, [he] started sending blistering letters and e-mails to Bravo and NBC Universal executives threatening lawsuits. Russell was furious that Taylor had discussed their serious marital issues, including the fact that he hit her on multiple occasions.”

The insider continues, saying that Russell was irate “the fellow housewives were now talking about it on the show.” The insider reveals, “Russell would have had no legal leg to stand on because it was Taylor who was telling the girls this stuff. Bravo and NBC decided that Russell and Taylor were more trouble than they were worth, and decided to end filming with them, as soon as it became apparent that Russell was going to continue down that path.”

So what’s a girl to do? Her spotlight in jeopardy and her husband an alleged ticking time-bomb, the Bravo star did what needed to be done. The source says, “Taylor decided to pursue the separation first, but then she thought to get back on the show, she would need to file for divorce, so that she could appear on the show again, if she promised executives that she was leaving him for good.” Despite all the clauses the insider throws out in that statement, the entire scene is just plain sad. Whether you believe a woman was so desperate to remain on a television program that she would throw her marriage under the bus or that she was saving herself and her young daughter from terrors to come, the whole situation was/is/and will continue to be horrific and heart wrenching.

The insider continues, “[F]or a very long time [Taylor knew] that she needed to leave Russell because of the verbal and physical abuse. Being taken off a show that she loved doing because of his actions was the catalyst that finally made her pull the trigger on her marriage. Russell knew he was going to be exposed and was in full damage control mode. Ultimately, there was nothing he could do to stop it.”

Taylor won’t be seen on the show again until the new year according to the source who reports, “The episode that will air on Monday night will show all of the girls except Taylor going to Hawaii. Taylor will call the girls, and tell them on speakerphone while they are on their Hawaiian holiday that she had decided to leave Russell.”

Again, regardless of your opinions on this tragedy (and I have my own, believe me) it’s nothing but awful given Russell’ssuicide, the fact that an innocent five-year-old is involved, and the notion that it’s all playing out for our “entertainment.” So sad, and yet please know the irony of me writing about it isn’t lost on this gal. Here’s hoping that outside the world that is Beverly Hills (past and present) you and yours revel in family and friends this holiday season.

THOUGHTS ON THIS NEW REVELATION? DO YOU THINK TAYLOR FILED FOR DIVORCE TO STAY ON THE SHOW? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF RUSSELL THREATENING THE NETWORK WITH LAWSUITS?